Summer is just around the corner (at least we hope) and what better way to enjoy it than with a new deck. There are plenty of benefits to adding a deck to your home including future resale value & some family fun and enjoyment. However, before the fun begins you will need to decide what kind of deck is right for you. We have gathered info on the 3 most popular decking choices used today; Composite decking, Cedar, & Ipê (ee-pay) hardwoods.

Benefits of Composite Wood

1. Composite is low-maintenance
2. No weather sealing or staining
3. Can be molded to create desired curves and arches
4. Cost more upfront but cost to maintain is low
5. Typically last 10-20 years
6. Splinter free
7. No need to paint and comes in a variety of grays and earth tones
8. Made to look like many exotic wood grains 

Composite wood material is a mixture of natural wood scraps (sawdust, pulp fibers, bamboo, straw etc.) and virgin or waste plastics. It is viewed by some as a renewable resource because it’s made out of materials that would normally be thrown away. Trex is probably the most well known and been around the longest. For more info check out the following www.TREX.com.

Benefits of Cedar Wood

1. High resistance to UV rays, moisture and insects
2. Range of color from cinnamon to silver gray, if stained the colors vary even more.
3. Strong enough to protect deck fastenings from corrosion
4. Along with its beauty it also gives off an appealing scent
5. Light yet durable and easy to work with
6. Biodegradable and environmentally friendly
7. Accepts stains well
8. Has a proven track record throughout history

Cedar is softwood and a popular natural wood used for decking because of its high resistance to elements and insects. Besides being durable its rustic charm makes it considered to be one of the most appealing to the eye. Cedar can be stained in a number of different colors, and purchased in a number of different grades. (smooth vs. knots). Here is a great site for cedar decking information www.cedar-deck.org.

Benefits of Ipê  Wood

1. High resistance to decay can last up to 25 years
2. Scratch resistant and about twice as hard as oak
3. Fire resistance rating similar to concrete
4. Low maintenance, can be left unsealed or sealed to capture the natural color
5. Wood characteristics allow boards to resist twisting, bowing, and cracks
6. Biodegradable and environmentally friendly
7. Resistant to termites and other insects
8. Used for boardwalks in NY including Coney Island docks

Ipê (ee-pay) is a durable Brazilian hardwood. Although not well know, Ipê decking is a great alternative to those looking for a low maintenance deck with real wood.  Like xerox to the copier, Ipê is commonly referred to as “Iron Wood” who is a major distributor of Ipê decking materials.  www.ipedeckingsource.com

As you can see you have many choices when it comes to decking, we hope this information helps and please feel free to ask any us any questions in the comments and answer the poll question to the right.  Finally if all this deck talk has you ready to add one to your house let us know, we ‘d be happy to provide you a free estimate on your project.

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